Singer Ykee Benda has publicly criticized the Zzina Awards 2026 for what he believes was a lack of adequate recognition for Joshua Baraka.
Although Joshua Baraka walked away with the Best Contemporary Urban Song award for his hit collaboration Wrong Places with JAE5, Ykee Benda feels that the accolade was not enough considering Baraka’s impact over the past year.
Taking to his X account shortly after the awards ceremony, Ykee Benda expressed both appreciation and concern in a candid message directed at the organizers.
I love you @GalaxyFMUg and the amazing work you have done in the entertainment industry. But when are we going to be intentional about giving artists who make quality music as many flowers as possible? I appreciate that Tracy Melon got what she deserved — but how’s Joshua not anywhere, guys? This is the guy currently pushing the flag to crazy heights. Surely he has been a force in the last 12 months. My 2 cents.
Joshua Baraka has indeed had a strong run in the last year, earning both local and international attention for his unique sound and collaborations.
Many believe he has been instrumental in elevating Ugandan music onto bigger platforms.
The Zzina Awards 2026 took place last night at Paradigm in Kansanga, where Galaxy FM/TV recognized various creatives across different categories in celebration of their contributions to the entertainment industry.
